THE URGENT NECESSITY

Where, then, are we to get the will-power to ensure that this important work is done?

Concern for the glory of God should give it. God has designed the church on the pattern of His own character. It is to reflect His glory. It cannot do this if it is indifferent to sin, and if it is making no attempt to
restore its sinning members.

Concern for the purity of the church should give it. Do we really want to see the visible

Body of Christ tilled with heresy, hatred, immorality, and all kinds of wickedness?

Concern for the good of men’s souls should give it. To separate an offending church member from the warmth and light of church fellowship is a grievous thing, a bitter medicine given in the hope that renewed spiritual health will result from its use. The action of the church is the outcome of love.

These three concerns should give us the necessary will-power. The difficulty is that we are not always concerned in depth. Consequently the work does not get started, or is done only intermittently. The only true starting-place is a recovery of the fear of God, and of our future accountability. ‘Every one of us shall give account of himself to God’ [Rom. 14.12], but ministers will have to give a particular account as to how they have watched for their people’s souls! [Heb. 13.17].

We need constantly to call to mind that our Lord requires that we do his work, whether we are praised or opposed. Nothing less can give us sufficient impetus to carry the work through. Nothing else will generate the necessary moral fibre, resolution, and determination. We need to labour that we may be accepted of Him!